We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had gone to school the day the transfers were sent and since it was on a closing on day, I came home early that day. When my guardian informed me that GiveDirectly had sent the promised money, I became so happy. As an orphan with no house and still a student, I knew that it was finally time for us to have a place to call home and our own.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am an orphan and my siblings and I depend on our guardian for most of the things ranging from food to our school fees. After our parents died, my father's brother gave us one of his house to live in and instructed me to build a house for my siblings when I complete my secondary school studies. The transfers enabled me to build a house that we're almost moving into it and to pay for my school fees and that of my siblings. Due to this, we have been able to concentrate on our studies this term as we have never been sent back home like previously when I was constantly in and out of the school. Having been able to achieve this has made my life different
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am still a student and my education and that of my siblings has been an uphill task as we're orphans and have to depend on my father's elder brother who also has his own children whom he is educating. Despite being in a day school, we have constantly been in and out of school as we rarely pay for our fees on time. Upon receiving the transfer, I spent KES 13000 to pay for our fees and also purchased a heifer worth KES 11000 as an investment. I will be selling milk when it calves and use the income in paying for our school fees. Also, I spent KES 30000 to build a house as the one we have been living in belongs to my father's elder brother who gave it to us and made me promise that I would build ours once I am through with my secondary school education.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being an orphan, it has been an uphill task getting money for education and other basic household needs. My elder brother dropped out of school due to the same. Receiving this money is the beginning of life breakthrough. My worries of me and my 3 other siblings dropping out of school have been lifted. This money will enable us pay my school fees and that of my younger siblings. I am planning to spend $150 to pay for my form 3 education upfront and buy a dairy cow worth $300. This means my siblings will comfortably go to secondary school in the next one year from the proceeds of this cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
With schools opening this week, I am exited to resume tomorrow. The happiest part of my day is when I am in school. Having lost my parents around 10 years ago, I study hard so that I can support my younger siblings when I complete school. My two favorite subjects are Chemistry and Biology.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
On his way home from Nakuru where he was working, my late father lost his life during the post election violence in 2007. A few years later, my mother too died after a short illness. My siblings and I were barely 10 and my biggest worry was sailing through life without them. Though our aunt has greatly supported us financially and acquiring other basic needs, the lack of parental love, emotional and moral support especially from my mother has made life less motivating. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
